Messages to other young people with cancer

We asked those that we interviewed what messages or advice they would give to other young people who were newly diagnosed with cancer and facing having treatment. Although having cancer can change your life many of you pointed out that (perhaps not surprisingly) it’s not always all bad. You got to meet new, supportive, helpful and generally nice people, had some good positive experiences and frequently came out feeling a stronger person. Several people said that you’ll feel better if you try and stay positive. If you can remain upbeat it also makes if easier for your friends and your family to cope. However, there will also be times when you feel scared and desperate and that you should always be aware that you can talk to others about these feelings. Here are some of your other general observations about what you found helpful: 

• Don’t lose hope - most cancers are treatable - you just have to live through having it treated. 
• Ask for information if you want it - being well informed and learning about what’s going to happen helps you feel in control. 
• Don’t worry that you behave differently and sometimes not to cleverly when you are scared - everyone does it. 
• It can get scary really quick but it is best to do what the doctors advise if you possibly can. 
• Try and find someone you are at ease with about talking about your inner feelings - its not always easy but it’s very much worth doing. 
• Try to understand how hard it may be for some of your friends and family to know how to respond to you having cancer - they may need a bit of help in this! 
• If you sometimes feel that you’re being selfish don’t worry too much as your friends and family will understand. 
• Focus on what is important - try not to let your worries ruin all your life. 
• Try finding a way of coping (using humour, talking to lots of people, being positive) that works for you.

Advises others not to give up and says that cancer can have a positive influence on your life.

It is a scary experience but you have to do what the doctors advise.

Says that you have to try to stay positive and feels that the experience of having cancer has made her a stronger person.

Stay positive and after hearing the diagnosis, talk about your feeling with family and friends and tell doctors how you are responding to your treatment.

Advice you had to give of what was helpful during treatment:
You often offered advice about how to cope during treatment, particularly chemotherapy (also see ’Talking about - Chemotherapy’). The advice was that you should not dread the chemotherapy but should always stick with the idea that it is a treatment and it will do you good. It was also important to look after yourself, including trying to eat healthily, staying as strong and fit as possible and avoiding stress wherever possible. 

• If you are hurting then talk to a doctor or nurse. 
• If the anti sickness drugs don’t work ask for another sort. 
• Cut your hair short rather than letting it fall out. 
• Always remember that the nurses are there for you if you need help. 
• Try to keep occupied & find distractions - music, reading, painting, films can all help. 
• Remember how great life will be afterward the treatment has finished - enjoy the new perspective you have.

Provides advice to other young people who had just been diagnosed with cancer and to those who are receiving treatment.

Advices young people on radiotherapy treatment.

Stay positive and find something that would help you go through your treatment.

Advice you had to give about what helped after treatment: 
It was repeatedly stressed how important it was to keep track of how well or ill you are feeling - but not to get obsessed by it. When in remission you need to be aware of what signs and symptoms of reoccurrence you should look out for and then act fast if you get any do occur, but at the same time you really, really need to get back to normal life. 

• Tell your doctor if you’re worried about something - they won’t think it’s trivial. 
• Keep a list of side effects of your treatment and the dates on which they occur so as to be able to show it to your doctor. 
• Even if cancer does come back it doesn’t mean you can’t be cured with further treatment. 
• There is a huge and amazing network of charities, doctors and nurses behind you (see ’Resources’ and links section).

You mustn't go through life worrying about it and try and be positive. You are not alone doctors, nurses, charities, family and friends are there to help you.

Says that even when the cancer comes back it does not mean that it can't be cured and that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.